Optically connected system for exchanging data among industrial automation devices

ABSTRACT

An optically-connected system is disclosed for exchanging data among industrial automation devices, that is composed of a plurality of connection modules, where each module comprises at least two pairs of optical transmitters and receivers on the main side, and one optical receiver on the opposing main side, that are opposite with respect to another pair of transmitters and receivers in a following module; and where each one of the transmitters and receivers is adapted to communicate with industrial automation devices to cooperate for exchanging data between modules, sending one interrogation signal requesting an identity of the module and the receiver is adapted to send to each corresponding response signal containing characteristics of the receiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/432,125 entitled “Optical Connection System,” filed Feb. 4,2004 which claims priority from International Patent Application No.PCT/IT02/00423 entitled “Optically-Connected System for Exchanging DataAmong Industrial Automation Devices,” filed Jun. 26, 2002, the contentsof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention refers to an optically-connected system, inparticular through optical rays with infrared frequency, for exchangingdata among industrial automation devices.

Currently, in industrial automation applications, it is common torealize a plurality of connection elements (that contain input andoutput lines towards external devices such as sensors, etc.) placed onebeside the other (for example on a DIN-type bar) and mutually connectedand connected to a data collecting and ordering element (commonly knownas “power terminal”), which, in turn, through a field bus, sends data,collected from different external devices, to an upstream numericcontrol. In order to realize the data exchange between connectionelements and data collecting and ordering element, a serial connectionis commonly provided that allows both the passage of different data, andthe supply of various elements. The connection and data collecting andordering elements are each contained inside a respective box, havingvarious shapes and sizes, adapted to be assembled on bars or operativelyinstalled in another way.

A system built in this way has many problems: first of all, when one ofthe connection elements fails, in some cases it is necessary todisassemble the whole row of elements, since such element cannot beindividually removed; in other cases, if it is possible to remove theelement shaped as a card from the box that contains it, its removalstops the serial connection line and therefore, if one has not aconnection element to immediately replace it, such line is interruptedand then deactivated, with obvious disadvantages.

Moreover, the boxes containing the various elements are very often of acomplicated configuration and therefore are of a very high cost forstamping them. Where the boxes are simpler as configuration, they arelacking many functionalities that current automations require.

Other problems of the above system are the presence of “physical”contacts that the various elements have in order to be mutuallyconnected: such contacts are subjected to wear, dirt and otherenvironmental conditions, such as for example electromagneticdisturbances, that damage their functionality, in turn damaging theother system connection elements.

Still more, the supply that it is possible to provide through the serialconnection is relatively limited, allowing to mutually connect a maximumnumber of elements that is equal to 8 or 16 digital outputs each one at250 mA. If the necessary connection elements are greater than thisnumber, it is necessary to provide for a further system, seriallyconnected to the previous one, with obvious problems of cost andconnections.

Object of the present invention is solving the above prior-art problemsby providing an optically-connected system that is simple to berealized, install, use and subject to maintenance, is of a reduced costfrom the points of view both of manufacturing, and of use, and above allis much more efficient and reliable with respect to connectionscurrently present on the market.

Another object of the present invention is providing anoptically-connected system that allows quickly replacing faulty orunusable elements, that can moreover do without some elements in theseries without anyway compromising the data exchange capability amongthe elements being present, and that is insensitive to electromagneticdisturbances on the lines, that are a frequent cause of errors incurrent connections. With an arrangement of this type, it is possible togroup the various elements composing the series by families of use,simplifying and increasing the safety for maintenance people involved.

A further object of the present invention is providing anoptically-connected system as mentioned above that is scarcely sensitiveto influences from the surrounding environment, such as for exampledirt, noises, vibrations, etc.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as willappear from the following description, are obtained by anoptically-connected system as claimed in claims 1 and 2. Preferredembodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention areclaimed in the dependent claims.

The present invention will be better described by some preferredembodiments thereof, given as a non-limiting example, with reference tothe enclosed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block view of a configuration of industrialautomation elements to which the optically-connected system of thepresent invention can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an industrial automation boxthat can be used with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the box in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a plate that points out theoptically-connected system of the invention applied thereto;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the plate in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic operating view of the optically-connected systemof the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the main components necessary forimplementing the optically-connected system of the present invention;and

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a series of I/O modules.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, there is presented an optically-connected system forexchanging data among industrial automation devices, the systemcomprising a plurality of connection modules; where each connectionelement has a main side and an opposing main side, and, perpendicular tothe main sides, a minor side and an opposing minor side; where each oneof the connection modules comprises at least two pairs of opticaltransmitters and receivers; where each pair of the optical transmittersand receivers comprises one optical transmitter on the main side of eachone of the connection modules, and one optical receiver on the opposingmain side of each one of the connection modules; where each pair of theoptical transmitters and receivers is further placed on the main side ofthe connection modules in an opposite way with respect to another pairof the transmitters and receivers in a following connection element, insuch a way as to place on each main side of the connection modules onetransmitter followed by one receiver eventually followed by onetransmitter; where each one of the transmitters and receivers is adaptedto communicate with industrial automation devices; where each one of thetransmitters and receivers is adapted to cooperate for exchanging datawith a respective receiver and transmitter of another adjacent of theconnection modules; where each one of the transmitters is adapted tosend to each corresponding one of the receivers one Interrogation signalrequesting an identity of the receiver, and each one of the receivers isadapted to send to each corresponding requesting transmitter a Responsesignal containing characteristics of the receiver, the Response signalidentifying each receiver as a receiver that passes information from afirst one of the transmitters to a last one of the receivers, theResponse signal of the last one of the receivers containing informationidentifying the last one of the receivers as an end receiver of thesystem; and where an optical beam transmitted through the system is acombination of a beam transmitted by each connection module and a beamreceived by a following connection module.

In another embodiment, the optically-connected system comprises at leastone connection module that is equipped on one of its minor sides with atleast one additional pair of transmitters and receivers.

In one embodiment, the optically-connected system comprises connectionmodules that are placed inside a box for industrial automation, each oneof the boxes being equipped with holes next to the transmitters andreceivers in order to allow their mutual operability. Optionally, theconnection modules are placed inside a box for industrial automation,each one of the boxes being equipped with holes obtained next to thetransmitters and receivers in order to allow their mutual operabilityand with holes obtained next to the at least one additional pair oftransmitters and receivers in order to allow their operability.

In one embodiment, the optical transmitters and receivers transmit andreceive infrared rays, laser rays, microwave rays, or rays in thevisible spectrum. Optionally, the transmitters and receivers operateaccording to the IrDa protocol or is connected to a respectiveencoder/decoder, that is in turn connected to a control and managementdevice; and the control and management device is connected, through anI/O interface, to a terminal board for supply and signal input/outputfrom one or more than one external industrial automation device. Inanother embodiment, each path of the transmitters and receivers isconnected to a respective encoder/decoder, that is in turn connected toa control and management device; and the control and management deviceis connected, through an I/O interface, to a terminal board for supplyand signal input/output from one or more than one external industrialautomation device. In another embodiment, the control and managementdevice is composed of a UART-type element and a microprocessor. Inanother embodiment, the control and management device is composed of aUART-type element and a microprocessor.

In one embodiment, the optically-connected system further comprises asupply to each one of the connection modules that is separate from theoptically-connected system. The supply can be provided by serialconnections through small cables or detachable connection terminalboards.

In one embodiment, the connection modules further comprise a pluralityof data input and output elements respectively connected to industrialautomation devices and a data collecting and queuing element operativelyconnected to the data input and output elements, the clement beingconnected, through a field bus, to a numeric control for managing data.

In one embodiment, there is provided a method for exchanging data amongindustrial automation devices comprising: a) providing a systemaccording to claim 1; and b) starting transmission and reception of dataamong the industrial automation devices; where each of the industrialautomation devices is connected to one of the connection modules.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the Figures, non-limiting examples of embodiments ofthe optically-connected system of the present invention are shown. Thedevice will be described hereinbelow by applying it to the field ofindustrial automation in general, but it is evident that it can find avalid and efficient application to any field in which it is necessary toperform an efficient data exchange between mutually connectable devicesthat are preferably adjacent and use a supply and data exchange bus.

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention (shown in thedrawings only in a general form) provides for an optically-connectedsystem for exchanging data among industrial automation devices, composedof a plurality of connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N). Eachone of such connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) is equippedwith one pair of optical transmitting 30, 32 and receiving 28, 34 means:such pair is composed of one optical transmitting means 30, 32 placed onthe main side 10 of each one of the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . ., 9 ^(N) and of one optical receiving means 28, 34 placed on an opposedmain side 12 of each one of the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9^(N). Moreover, each one of the transmitting 30, 32 and receiving 28, 34means is adapted to cooperate for exchanging data with a respectivereceiving 28, 34 and transmitting 30, 32 means of another adjacent ofthe connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N). According to anotherpreferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the optically-connectedsystem for exchanging data among industrial automation devices of thepresent invention also substantially comprises a plurality of connectionelements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N), each one of said which is equippedwith at least two pairs of optical transmitting 30, 32 and receiving 28,34 means. Each pair is composed of one optical transmitting means 30, 32placed on the main side 10 of each one of the connection elements 7, 9′,9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) and of one optical receiving means 28, 34 placed onan opposed main side 12 of each one of the connection elements 7, 9′,9″, . . . , 9 ^(N); moreover, in order to always guarantee the operatingfunctionality of the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N)independently from the orientation with which they are assembled (forexample on a DIN-type bar), each pair of optical transmitting 30, 32 andreceiving 28, 34 means is further placed on the main sides 10, 12 of theconnection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) in an opposite way withrespect to the previous pair in such a way as to place on each main side10, 12 of the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) onetransmitting means 30, 32 followed by one receiving means 28, 34 (as canbe better seen in FIG. 5), eventually followed by one transmitting means30, 32 (not shown) and so on. Also in this case, each one of thetransmitting 30, 32 and receiving 28, 34 means is adapted to cooperatefor exchanging data with a respective receiving 28, 34 and transmitting30, 32 means of another adjacent of the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, .. . , 9 ^(N).

In order to allow installation and connection of a higher number ofconnection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N), according to applicationrequirements, at least one of the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . ,9 ^(N) can further be equipped, on one of its minor sides 14perpendicular to the sides 10, 12 on which the transmitting 30, 32 andreceiving 28, 34 means are placed, with at least one further pair oftransmitting 30, 32 and receiving 28, 34 means (not shown). In thiscase, two adjacent rows of connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N)can be installed and data are transmitted and received not only alongthe two rows, but also between one row and the other, with an optical“perpendicular” connection between an element of a row and thecorresponding element below in the other row.

As known, the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) are placedinside respective boxes 13 for industrial automation in order to allowtheir use with the present invention; however, it is not necessary thatsuch boxes 13 are of a particularly complicated and costly shape orconfiguration; instead, boxes 13 are chosen that are as inexpensive aspossible. The boxes 13, like the one schematically shown in FIG. 2, areequipped with means 15 for the connection to bars (for example of theDIN type). In order to be able to use such boxes 13 with the presentinvention, it is enough to drill, in each one of them, holes 16, 18, 20,22 obtained next to the transmitting 30, 32 and receiving 28, 34 meansin order to allow their mutual operability. Obviously, the boxes 13 forthe connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) adapted to alsoperform the “perpendicular” connection, will also have holes 24, 26obtained next to the further pair of transmitting 30, 32 and receiving28, 34 means being present on the side 14.

Preferably, the optical transmitting 30, 32 and receiving 28, 34 meansare composed of transmitters and receivers of optical rays at infraredfrequency, particularly, but not in a limiting way, operating accordingto the IrDa protocol.

With this type of optical components, an operating circuit can berealized, schematically shown in FIG. 7, which provides that each pairof transmitters 30, 32 and receivers 28, 34 is connected to a respectiveencoder/decoder 36, 38 in turn connected to control and management means40, 42 (commonly a UART-type of card 40 and a microprocessor 42). Suchcontrol and management means 40, 42 are connected, through an I/Ointerface 44, to a terminal board 46 for supply and signal input/outputfrom external industrial automation devices (not shown).

Alternatively, obviously, the optical transmitting 30, 32 and receiving28, 34 means can be composed of transmitters and receivers of opticalrays with laser rays, at microwave frequency, or other types ofequivalent optical means, and even using visible light.

In order to complete the operating connections of the system of theinvention, the supply to each one of the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″,. . . , 9 ^(N) can be provided separately with respect to theoptically-connected system, for example by serial connections throughsmall cables, or using detachable connection terminal boards, in orderto facilitate supply disconnection and reconnection operations whenreplacing or maintaining the connection elements 7, 9′, 9″, . . . , 9^(N) and/or the boxes 13.

Further in a known way, as shown in FIG. 1, the connection elements 7,9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) are composed of a plurality of data input andoutput elements 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) respectively connected (throughdigital inputs or outputs 11′, 11″, . . . , 11 ^(N) that can be 2, 4, 8and like numbers) to external industrial automation devices (not shown)and of a data collecting and queuing element 7 (“power terminal”)operatively connected to the data input and output elements 9′, 9″, . .. , 9 ^(N): such element 7 is connected, through a field bus 3, to anupstream numeric control 1 for managing data.

With the above-described system it is therefore possible to obtain thefollowing advantages:

1. If a module 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N) is removed, the system goes onoperating.

2. If due to a connection error, during the installation phase, highvoltage is provided to a module 9′, 9″, . . . , 9 ^(N), this one isdamaged, but the other ones, being galvanically insulated, remainoperating.

3. Not having the constraint of arranging the modules 9′, 9″, . . . , 9^(N) one beside the other, they can be separated in order to divide themlogically depending on the type of treated signals or theirfunctionality, with following simplifications for maintenance personneland responsible operators.

In some current devices, such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,844to Davies, a back plain is provided (as shown in FIG. 1 of the DaviesPatent) in order to allow data exchange among the aligned boards.Contrarily, in the present invention the back plain is not necessarysince it is entirely replaced by optical connections. Additionally,optical alignment among the boards in the back plain of the prior art iscritical to allow communication between the boards thereby requiring theuse of a locking mechanism for the boards to remain in precisealignment. Whereas, precise alignment among the boards in the presentinvention is not a determining factor, so the use of a locking mechanismis unnecessary.

Additionally, due to the structural differences between prior art andthe present invention, even the operation of the two is deeplydifferent. As can be seen, in FIG. 8, there is shown a schematic blockdiagram of a series of I/O modules. The modules operate as follows:first, a required (practically unlimited) number of board I/O modules isprovided. The board I/O modules comprise a master module (M) and atermination module (T). Additional I/O modules (B₁, B₂, B₃, . . . ,B_(N)) can be placed side by side between the master module and thetermination module according to an “Easy chain” configuration in orderto allow an optical transmission of an interrogation signal (I_(S)) anda response signal (R_(S)) in two opposed directions. Next, the unitcomprising the I/O boards is energized. Then, the master module M sendsa first interrogation signal I_(S) to the first following board B₁requesting a module identification response (i.e. “which kind of moduleis it?”). Next, the board B₁ transmits a first response signal R_(S)communicating the board's characteristics to the master module M whichstores the information. Then, the board B₁ becomes a “passing” board forthe following optical signals. Next, the master module M sends a secondinterrogation signal I_(S) to the next board B₂ through the precedingboard B₁ requesting a module identification response. Then, board B₂replies with a second response signal R_(S) that passes through thepreceding board B₁ communicating its characteristics to the mastermodule M. Then, the board B₂ becomes a “passing” board for the followingoptical signals. Next, the remaining boards B₃, . . . , B_(N) aresequentially sent an interrogation signal I_(S), as described above,until the master module M interrogates the terminator module T bypassing the interrogation signal I_(S) through all the preceding boardsB₁, B₂, B₃, . . . , B_(N). The terminator board T answers through thepreceding boards B₁, B₂, B₃, . . . , B_(N) by a response signal R_(S)communicating to the master board M that the chain is terminated; inthis way, immediately after the switching on of the chain, the masterboard M knows the entire configuration of the chain and, particularly,the characteristics of all the modules B₁, B₂, B₃, . . . , B_(N)composing it. The terminator board T serves to indicate with precisionto the master board M that the chain is terminated, otherwise thepossible presence of a failed module along the chain which, for example,interrupts the transmission of optical signals through the chain itself,can make the master board M believe that the chain is shorter than whatit really is. Consequently, the presence of the terminator board T makesthe operations of the Applicant's board extremely reliable andtransparent.

In another embodiment, there is provided an optically-connected systemfor exchanging data among industrial automation devices, the systemcomprising a plurality of connection modules. Each connection elementhas a main side and an opposing main side, and, perpendicular to themain sides, a minor side and an opposing minor side. Each one of theconnection modules comprises at least two pairs of optical transmittersand receivers. Each pair of the optical transmitters and receiverscomprises one optical transmitter on the main side of each one of theconnection modules, and one optical receiver on the opposing main sideof each one of the connection modules. Each pair of the opticaltransmitters and receivers is further placed on the main side of theconnection modules in an opposite way with respect to another pair ofthe transmitters and receivers in a following connection element, insuch a way as to place on each main side of the connection modules onetransmitter followed by one receiver eventually followed by onetransmitter. Each one of the transmitters and receivers is adapted tocommunicate with industrial automation devices. Each one of thetransmitters and receivers is adapted to cooperate for exchanging datawith a respective receiver and transmitter of another adjacent of theconnection modules. Each one of the transmitters is adapted to send toeach corresponding one of the receivers one Interrogation signalrequesting an identity of the receiver, and each one of the receivers isadapted to send to each corresponding requesting transmitter a Responsesignal containing characteristics of the receiver, the Response signalidentifying each receiver as a receiver that passes information from afirst one of the transmitters to a last one of the receivers, theResponse signal of the last one of the receivers containing informationidentifying the last one of the receivers as an end receiver of thesystem. An optical beam transmitted through the system is a combinationof a beam transmitted by each connection module and a beam received by afollowing connection module.

In another embodiment, at least one of the connection modules isequipped on one of its minor sides with at least one additional pair oftransmitters and receivers. Each of the connection modules is placedinside a box for industrial automation, each one of the boxes beingequipped with holes next to the transmitters and receivers in order toallow their mutual operability. In another embodiment, the connectionmodules are placed inside a box for industrial automation, each one ofthe boxes being equipped with holes obtained next to the transmittersand receivers in order to allow their mutual operability and with holesobtained next to the at least one additional pair of transmitters andreceivers in order to allow their operability.

In another embodiment, the optical transmitters and receivers transmitand receive infrared rays, or operate according to the IrDa protocol.Each pair of the transmitters and receivers is connected to a respectiveencoder/decoder, that is in turn connected to a control and managementdevice. The control and management device is connected, through an I/Ointerface, to a terminal board for supply and signal input/output fromone or more than one external industrial automation device. Optionally,the control and management device is composed of a UART-type element anda microprocessor. Each path of the transmitters and receivers isconnected to a respective encoder/decoder, that is in turn connected toa control and management device. In another embodiment, the control andmanagement device is connected, through an I/O interface, to a terminalboard for supply and signal input/output from one or more than oneexternal industrial automation device.

In another embodiment, the control and management device is composed ofa UART-type element and a microprocessor.

In another embodiment, the optical transmitters and receivers transmitand receive laser rays.

In another embodiment, the optical transmitters and receivers transmitand receive microwave rays.

In another embodiment, the optical transmitters and receivers transmitand receive rays in the visible spectrum.

In another embodiment, the supply is provided by serial connectionsthrough small cables.

In another embodiment, the supply is provided by detachable connectionterminal boards.

In another embodiment, the optically-connected system further comprisesa supply to each one of the connection modules that is separate from theoptically-connected system.

In another embodiment, the supply is provided by serial connectionsthrough small cables.

In another embodiment, the supply is provided by detachable connectionterminal boards.

In another embodiment, the connection modules further comprise aplurality of data input and output elements respectively connected toindustrial automation devices. The connection modules further comprise adata collecting and queuing element operatively connected to the datainput and output elements, the element being connected, through a fieldbus, to a numeric control for managing data.

In another embodiment, there is provided a method for exchanging dataamong industrial automation devices comprising: a) providing a systemaccording to claim 1; and b) starting transmission and reception of dataamong the industrial automation devices. Each of the industrialautomation devices is connected to one of the connection modules.

Although the present invention has been discussed in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments arepossible. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in thisdisclosure. Additionally, although specific means and configurationshave been described, it will be appreciated that modifications may bemade to such means and configurations while still remaining within thescope of the appended claims.

1. An optically-connected system for exchanging data among industrialautomation devices, the system comprising a plurality of connectionmodules; where each connection element has a main side and an opposingmain side, and, perpendicular to the main sides, a minor side and anopposing minor side; where each one of the connection modules comprisesat least two pairs of optical transmitters and receivers; where eachpair of the optical transmitters and receivers comprises one opticaltransmitter on the main side of each one of the connection modules, andone optical receiver on the opposing main side of each one of theconnection modules; where each pair of the optical transmitters andreceivers is further placed on the main side of the connection modulesin an opposite way with respect to another pair of the transmitters andreceivers in a following connection element, in such a way as to placeon each main side of the connection modules one transmitter followed byone receiver eventually followed by one transmitter; where each one ofthe transmitters and receivers is adapted to communicate with industrialautomation devices; where each one of the transmitters and receivers isadapted to cooperate for exchanging data with a respective receiver andtransmitter of another adjacent of the connection modules; where eachone of the transmitters is adapted to send to each corresponding one ofthe receivers one Interrogation signal requesting an identity of thereceiver, and each one of the receivers is adapted to send to eachcorresponding requesting transmitter a Response signal containingcharacteristics of the receiver, the Response signal identifying eachreceiver as a receiver that passes information from a first one of thetransmitters to a last one of the receivers, the Response signal of thelast one of the receivers containing information identifying the lastone of the receivers as an end receiver of the system; and where anoptical beam transmitted through the system is a combination of a beamtransmitted by each connection module and a beam received by a followingconnection module.
 2. The optically-connected system according to claim1, where at least one of the connection modules is equipped on one ofits minor sides with at least one additional pair of transmitters andreceivers.
 3. The optically-connected system according to claim 1, whereeach of the connection modules is placed inside a box for industrialautomation, each one of the boxes being equipped with holes next to thetransmitters and receivers in order to allow their mutual operability.4. The optically-connected system according to claim 2, where theconnection modules are placed inside a box for industrial automation,each one of the boxes being equipped with holes obtained next to thetransmitters and receivers in order to allow their mutual operabilityand with holes obtained next to the at least one additional pair oftransmitters and receivers in order to allow their operability.
 5. Theoptically-connected system according to claim 1, where the opticaltransmitters and receivers transmit and receive infrared rays.
 6. Theoptically-connected system according to claim 5, where the transmittersand receivers operate according to the IrDa protocol.
 7. Theoptically-connected system according to claim 5, where each pair of thetransmitters and receivers is connected to a respective encoder/decoder,that is in turn connected to a control and management device; and wherethe control and management device is connected, through an I/Ointerface, to a terminal board for supply and signal input/output fromone or more than one external industrial automation device.
 8. Theoptically-connected system according to claim 7, where the control andmanagement device is composed of a UART-type element and amicroprocessor.
 9. The optically-connected system according to claim 6,where each path of the transmitters and receivers is connected to arespective encoder/decoder, that is in turn connected to a control andmanagement device; and where the control and management device isconnected, through an I/O interface, to a terminal board for supply andsignal input/output from one or more than one external industrialautomation device.
 10. The optically-connected system according to claim9, where the control and management device is composed of a UART-typeelement and a microprocessor.
 11. The optically-connected systemaccording to claim 1, where the optical transmitters and receiverstransmit and receive laser rays.
 12. The optically-connected systemaccording to claim 1, where the optical transmitters and receiverstransmit and receive microwave rays.
 13. The optically-connected systemaccording to claim 1, where the optical transmitters and receiverstransmit and receive rays in the visible spectrum.
 14. Theoptically-connected system according to claim 13, where the supply isprovided by serial connections through small cables.
 15. Theoptically-connected system according to claim 13, where the supply isprovided by detachable connection terminal boards.
 16. Theoptically-connected system according to claim 1, further comprising asupply to each one of the connection modules that is separate from theoptically-connected system.
 17. The optically-connected system accordingto claim 16, where the supply is provided by serial connections throughsmall cables.
 18. The optically-connected system according to claim 16,where the supply is provided by detachable connection terminal boards.19. The optically-connected system according to claim 1, where theconnection modules further comprise a plurality of data input and outputelements respectively connected to industrial automation devices; andwhere the connection modules further comprise a data collecting andqueuing element operatively connected to the data input and outputelements, the element being connected, through a field bus, to a numericcontrol for managing data.
 20. A method for exchanging data amongindustrial automation devices comprising: a) providing a systemaccording to claim 1; and b) starting transmission and reception of dataamong the industrial automation devices; where each of the industrialautomation devices is connected to one of the connection modules.